







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | |
| What line is it on? | |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | |
| Sorry, I forgot to tell you, you need to turn the tap on very gently. | |
| Hmm, I guess it's a bit old, but it's still my favourite. | |
| Erm... I know I snore occasionally, do I snore everyday? | |
| That's true! How much is your rent? | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| Of course, there are 4 girls, all uni students from Germany. | |
| Umm... We are married... I mean, today is our wedding anniversary! | |
| I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | |
| But for how many people? | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| She could even have been her mum... Who knows? | |
| Is that what you want me to do? | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | |
| You are absolutely right! | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |